Collapsing tool seal



April 8, 1941. H. c. BLOCK 2,237,544

' COLLAPSING TOOL SEAL Filed May 21, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

" QEQ (5 walk A TTORN E Y5.

BY HARQL g gmcm Aprfi 8, 1941. C BLOCK 2,237,544

COLLAPSING TOOL SEAL Filed May 21, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 HAR NIgENTOR.

OLD LOCK. BY 0?. 23mm; WHTM.

Patented Apr. 8, 1941 DFFICE COLLAPSING TOOL SEAL Harold 0. Block, Houston, Tex., assignor to Leslie A. Layne, Houston, Tex.

Application May 21, 1938, Serial No. 209,155-

14 Claims.

The invention relates to a well bottom assem bly and the structure for closing the top-of the packer of such an assembly while the packer is being lowered into the well bore prior to the setting of the packer and to also close the top of the packer after it has been set so as to prevent the entrance of foreign materials which may settle out of the column of fluid in the well bore.

In the operation of completing a well where the fiow is to be passed through a strainer or screen, it is usual to set the assembly in the producing formation and to thereafter form a seal between the outside of the assembly and the production string or the casing in the well bore. When the well is drilled by the rotary method, it is of course filled with drilling mud or slush and it is desirable to keep the top of the packer and the well bottom assembly closed against any settlings in the well during the washing operation for removing the drilling mud or slush. The setting string must then be manipulated to set the packer and then it is again desirable to close the top of the packer to prevent any settlings or other foreign materials which may enter the well from falling down through the packer into the strainer or screen.

It is one of the objects of the invention to provide in combination with a setting string and well bottom assembly a pair of devices to close the top of the packer both before and after setting.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cap for packers which may be adjusted or fixed on the setting string so that it will be lifted or removed with the setting string.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a seal between the setting tool and packer which seal is maintained by the pressure of the setting string used in setting the packer.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a setting member on a setting tool, which setting member is actuated by pressur applied through a sealing member which is expanded by such pressure.

Other and further objects of the invention will be readily apparent when the following description is considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the lower end of a well bottom assembly with certain parts shown in section.

Fig. 2 is a continuation of the top of the assembly above that shown in Fig. 1 and illustrates certain of the parts in section to show the closure for the top of the packer and illustrates the structure in position prior to the setting of the packer.

Figs. 3 and 4 are views similar to Figs. 1 and 2 respectively, but illustrate the structure after the well bottom has been closed, the packer set and the seal formed with the top of the packer.

The present invention relates to the general subject matter disclosed in the co-pending application for patent of Leslie A. Layne, Harold 0. Block and Albert L. Roco for a Packer and setting tool, Serial No. 122,948, filed January 1937.

The well bottom assembly is shown generally at 2 in Figs. 1 and 2 and includes the set shoe 3 which may have a plurality of openings 4 therein for the discharge of the washing liquid therefrom. This set shoe carries a back pressure valve 5 which is normally urged upwardly by a spring 6 so as to close against a seat I carried in the set shoe.

A coupling 8 connected to the shoe carries a wash valve assembly which includes the wash valve '9 which has a seating edge Hl thereon arranged to engage a top seat I! on the same ring against which the back pressure valve is arranged to close. The lateral passages l2 through the wash valve allow a flow of liquid therethrough. A ring l4 fixed in the coupling 8 has a coarse thread I5 on the inside thereof in order to receive the sleeve [6 of the wash valve. When the wash valve is rotated, it is arranged to move downwardly to close the well bottom assembly as seen in Fig. 3. An outstanding lug I1 on the valve is arranged to abut a pin l8 on the ring In so as to determine the exact position of the valve when it is wide open and to also prevent binding of the threads l5, because it is desirable that these threads [5 shall turnbefore the threads 20 on the inside of the sleeve it shall release. It is intended that rotation of the setting string of pipe 21 will cause the sleeve it and wash valve 9 to rotate and move to closed position. When the valve is closed any additional torque applied to the setting string 2i will release the threads 20. The threads 20 are opposite in pitch to the threads I5 so that continued rotation to the pipe 2| after the valve closes will release the threads 2t so that the wash pipe 2! may be released as seen in Fig. 3.

Above the coupling 8 is the screen or strainer 30 which may be of any desired length and which is surmounted by a liner St, The wash pipe it extends upwardly through the strainer and liner and carriesa setting tool which is indicated generally at 33. The liner therein carries a packer 34 which is arranged to be expanded as seen in Fig. 4: to form a seal with the pipe 35 which may be the production string or the casing.

The particular construction of the packer 34 is disclosed in the co-pending application above referred to but generally includes the packing 36 which is supported upon a shoulder 31 and disposed about a packer barrel 38.

The barrel 38 is carried by the top 39 of the packer and is arranged to telescope downwardly inside of the liner 3|, the ratchet members 4|] preventing any return movement of the packer barrel and tend to hold the packer in collapsed position. The skirt or neck 4| extends upwardly inside of the packing at its base to assist in maintaining a seal and prevent leakage in and around the bottom of the packer. The top of the packer barrel 38 is provided with a shoulder 92 and the packer top 39 is recessed at 43. This construction is provided in order that the segments 44 of the setting tool 33 may snap over the shoulder 32 when the setting string 2| is raised to the position shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

The segments 44 are normally urged outwardly but are limited in such outward movement by the retainer ring 55 and the stop flange E6. The segments 54, however, are mounted upon a sliding sleeve G8 which is disposed about the mandrel 39 which forms part of the pipe 2|. This sleeve 458 is limited in its downward movement by the coupling 50 and in its upward movement by a shoulder on the mandrel 49. When the pipe 2| is lifted the coupling 50 will carry the setting member with it in an upward direction but when the setting pipe 2| is moved downwardly after i the segments 44 have moved outwardly over the shoulder 42, then the setting member will be restrained against downward movement and the mandrel 49 will telescope through the sleeve 48 to assume the position shown in Fig. 4.

It is the usual practice to allow the tubing or setting string 2| to remain in the position of Fig. 4 and to produce the fluid from the well through this setting pipe 2|. All or part of the tubing 2| may rest upon the segments 44 and upon the packer to hold it in position to insure that it will not be displaced by any accumulation of pressure in the well below the packer.

To insure that there will not be any escape of pressure upwardly between the tubing 2| and the packer or liner, it is desirable to form a seal. It is also desirable to close the top of the packer or liner so that materials settling down in the well will not pass into the strainer or screen but will be excluded therefrom. With this in mind a ring of packing material 55 has been disposed about the top of the mandrel 49 and upon the top of the sleeve 43. This packing is held in position by a retainer ring 56 connected to the top of the mandrel. This packing is of such size that it normally urges the sleeve 33 downwardly as seen in Fig. 2 and remains in retracted position. When, however, weight of the pipe 2| is applied as seen in Fig. 4 this weight is transmitted through the packin 55 to the settingv tool member and it seems obvious that sufiicient pressure can be applied in this manner so that the pipe 2| telescopes downwardly and the parts assume the position shown in Fig. 4 where the sleeve 48 has served as a stop for the bottom of the packing 55 and the top of such packing has been forced downwardly by the pipe 2| so that the packing has been expanded to form a seal with the periphery 51 of the top of the packer 39.

This seal prevents the entrance of any foreign material into the packer and strainer and of course will trap any pressure which occurs within the packer or liner.

Attention is directed to the spaced slits. 58 which extend upwardly and inwardly in the packing so that when the packing is compressed longitudinally it will expand radially as seen in Fig. 4.

Fig. 2 shows an arrangement for closing the top of the packer when the assembly is being lowered into the well bore and prior to the setting of the packer.

This device includes a cap or ring 60 which may be of any suitable material. It has been found in practice, however, that cast iron or some similar frangible material is suitable for this purpose. This cap rests upon the tapered upper end 6| of the packer top 39 and serves to deflect any material settling in the well bore so that it may not enter the packer or strainer. A cage 62 is seen in Fig. 2 as disposed about the setting pipe or tubing 2| and includes a lower ring 63 having a plurality of fingers 64 extending upwardly therefrom. These fingers are provided with teeth 65 which are arranged to grip th periphery of the pipe 2| and may be clamped in gripping position against the pipe by a lock ring 66 which is arranged to screw on to the tapered thread 67 on the outside of the fingers 54. After the parts are assembled at the surface to be lowered into the well bore, the cage will be slipped over the tubing and affixed thereto at the desired elevation by screwing on the ring 66. This cage is slidable in the cap 68 and can move a distance equal to that between the ring 66 and the ring 63. This limited sliding movement is desired because as the pipe 2| is rotated to set the wash valve 9, it will move downwardly and during this operation it is desired that the cap remain in place. When, however, the wash pipe is disconnected in order to raise the setting tool 33 to active position, it is desired that the cap 66 be moved. Thus when the cage 62 is affixed at the proper elevation it will be so positioned that the ring 63 will lift the cap 6|] from the top of the packer after the setting tool is raised and the second seal will be maintained by the packing 55 as previously described.

The inside of the cage 62 has sufficient clearance so that it may be passed over an upset portion such as 68 on the tubing. The same is true of the ring 66. The ring 66, however, serves to clamp the cage in position at any desired point on the section of tubing.

In operation the packer will be assembled as' shown in Figs. 1 and 2 with the cap 69 closing the top of the packer. The assembly is then lowered into the Well bore and the Well is washed to remove all or the desired amount of drilling mud. It is then usual to close the bottom wash valve by manipulating the tubing 2|. After the valve is closed the threads 20 are released and the setting string is raised to elevate the setting tool 33 to a position above the shoulder 42. This raising operation removes the cap 60 because it has served its purpose of deflecting settlings during the washing operation. After the setting tool snaps over the shoulder 42, then the tubing 2| will be lowered to apply pressure to the packing 55 and the setting tool 33. Sufficient weight is applied in this manner to collapse the packer 34 as seen in Fig. 4. The stop shoulder 5| limits the amount of movement of the sleeve 48 so that in event the device is operated in a deep Well where there is considerable weight of tubing 2|,

that this excessive weight will be carried by the shoulder and will not tend to shear the packing 55. So long as the weight of the pipe rests on the setting tool and the packer, the packing 55 will be held expanded and in sealing position.

Broadly the invention contemplates a device for excluding settlings from a packer and strainer in a well bottom assembly and sealing the top of the packer after it has been set.

What is claimed is: V

1. In a well bottom assembly the combination of a collapsible packer, a collapsing tool for collapsing the packer, a string of pipe operatively connected with said tool, a member on the pipe to close the top of the assembly around the pipe against the inflow of material prior to setting said assembly, and another expansibl-e member on the pipe to seal the top of the assembly against fluid leak-age during and after the setting of the packer.

2. In a well bottom assembly the combination of a collapsible packer, a collapsing tool for collapsing the packer, a string of pipe operatively connected with said tool, a frangible member on the pipe to close the top of the assembly around the pipe against the inflow of material prior to setting said assembly, and another expansible member on the pipe to seal the top of the assembly against fluid leakage during and after the setting of the packer, said frangible member being Y of metal.

3. In a well bottom assembly the combination of a collapsible packer, a collapsing tool for collapsing the packer, a string of pipe operatively connected with said tool, a frangible member on the pipe to close the top of the assembly around the pipe again-st the inflow of material prior to setting said assembly, and another expansible member on the pipe to seal the top of theassembly against fluid leakage during and after the setting of the packer, said last member being resilient and expansible when compressed by weight of said pipe.

4. In a well bottom assembly the combination of a collapsible packer, a collapsing tool for setting the packer, a string of pipe to operate said tool, a frangible member to close the top of the assembly around the pipe against the inflow of material prior to setting said assembly, and another member to seal the top of the assembly during and after setting against the passage of fluid, said frangible member being of metal, and

said last member being resilient and expansible when compressed by weight of said pipe.

5. A collapsing tool for well packers including a setting string of pipe, a setting member thereon, a packing about said pipe and on top of said member, said member being mounted for limited sliding movement on said pipe so that when weight of the string of pipe is applied to said member said packing will thereby be compressed to fiorm a seal.

6. A setting tool, and a setting string of pipe for setting the packer of a well bottom assembly, a packing on said string of pipe and abutting said setting tool, said packing being disposed to transmit the weight of said pipe to said tool and to be expanded by such Weight when the setting tool contacts the packer.

'7. A packer and a setting tool therefor, said tool including members to engage the inside of said packer, a packing above said tool, and means to apply pressure on said tool throughsaid packing to expand the packer to seal with the inside of said packer.

8. In a setting tool assembly for packers, a setting pipe to be raised during the setting operation, a member thereon to close the top of the packer prior to setting, and an expansible packing also on said pipe to close the top of the packer after said tool has been raised and said member removed.

9. A setting pipe for well packers, a collapsible setting member thereon, means mounting said member for sliding movement on said pipe, a resilient packing normally urging said member in one direction and through which pressure is applied to said member to perform a packer setting so that said packing is thereby expanded.

10. A setting pipe for well packers, a collapsible setting member thereon, means mounting said member for sliding movement on said pipe, a resilient packing normally urging said member in one direction and through which pressure is applied to said member to perform a packer setting so that said packing is thereby expanded, and a shoulder to limit the sliding movement of said means.

11. A packing for setting tool and well packer combination-s including an annular packing ring of resilient material, and spaced upwardly and inwardly inclined slits therein so that pressure applied from the top expands the packing.

12 A setting tool assembly, a packer to be set thereby, a shoulder on said packer, packer setting means on said tool to engage said shoulder, and a sealing means on the tool expansible to seal between the tool and the packer by the pressure on said tool to set the packer.

L3. A setting tool and packer assembly including a bottom connection between said tool and packer, a cap closing the top of said packer around the tool, and a seal on the tool including means to expand such seal after release of the bottom connection and upon the application of pressure to set said packer.

14. A closure cap for the top of well packers to prevent the entry of settlings While the packer is being set including a cage about the setting .pipe, means to afiix said cage to the pipe at the desired elevation, a cap about said cage, and means on the cage to limit relative sliding movement of the cap on the cage.

HAROLD C. BLOCK. 

